7th April 1920 – 8th February 1988

Fact File

Allan Cuthbertson arrived in England in 1947, and before long appeared as Romeo in' Romeo and Juliet' at the Boltons. In London's West End, he performed as Laertes in Hamlet, Aimwell in The Beaux Stratagem, and Octavius Robinson in Man & Superman, with numerous other roles.

He was often cast in military roles which were quite common in actors of his age bracket, particularly those with a military manner about them. He was Captain Eric Simpson in' Tunes of Glory' (1960) as well as being cast as more conventional regimental types in films such as 'The Guns of Navarone' (1961) and 'Carrington V.C.' (1955), which also starred David Niven. He also made a short appearance as a stressed staff officer, who then gets blown up, at the start of Ice Cold in Alex (1958). In 1962 he played a school teacher in' Term of Trial' with Laurence Olivier. He also guested four times in the cult television series' The Avengers'.

Unexpectedly Cuthbertson also had a talent for playing comedy, which led to his most remembered role, although again playing a moustachioed military character, as Colonel Hall in the "Gourmet Night" episode of the hit sitcom 'Fawlty Towers' in 1975. He also appeared in many roles on British telly, including with Tommy Cooper, Dick Emery and Frankie Howerd, and in 'All Gas and Gaiters', 'Danger Man' and 'Terry and June', where he played annoying neighbour Tarquin Spry. He was also a regular guest on The 'Morecambe and Wise Show' from 1973 to 1976. One of his last TV appearances was in Michael Palin's 'East of Ipswich' in 1987.

One of his last theatre parts was in The Corn is Green by Emlyn Williams at the Old Vic in 1985.

Related Video

Here's Allen as Colonel Hall in an episode of Fawlty Towers called 'Gourmet Night'. First broadcast on 17th October 1975.

As 'Major Daintry' in the Michael Palin Comedy 'Ripping Yarns' from 1979, This Episode called 'Roger of the Raj'

As the accused, Howard Summers' in the iconic Granada court room drama series 'Crown Court'. This episode, originally broadcast in 1975 was called 'The Also Ran' Read more about the series here.